Cardiff Council is facing calls to introduce new restrictions and higher parking charges for SUVs, which have become increasingly common on UK roads.
The push for change comes after local resident Helen Edwards presented a petition signed by more than 250 people, urging the council to act. She argued that parking charges should be linked to the size of a vehicle to help reduce congestion and improve safety.
Ms Edwards’ campaign was driven by personal experience - her son was struck by a large vehicle on a residential street last year. She told councillors that doctors immediately asked about the size of the car, highlighting the increased risks posed by bigger vehicles.
She warned: “Our children don’t have the freedom we once had. They’re growing up on congested streets dominated by oversized cars. Evidence shows children are three times more likely to die if they’re hit by an SUV compared with a regular car. As a parent, it’s terrifying.”
The petition also highlights how cars are steadily getting wider, while city streets remain the same size. Currently, more than 60% of new cars sold in the UK are SUVs. Campaigners argue that while large vehicles may be useful in rural settings, they are impractical and unnecessary in crowded cities.
The movement has been backed by Clean Cities, part of The SUV Alliance, which is calling for tax and policy changes to reflect the environmental and safety impact of larger vehicles. Suggestions include higher Vehicle Excise Duty for SUVs and increased parking charges.
Oliver Lord, UK Head of Clean Cities, said: “Families in Cardiff shouldn’t live in fear of their children being hit by oversized cars. SUVs are more dangerous for pedestrians, take up more space, and pollute more. Councils have the power to introduce fairer parking charges that reflect these costs and make cities safer.”
Recent data also shows growing public concern. Around 61% of car owners believe SUVs take up too much space, and 59% think they are unnecessary in urban areas.
Cardiff Council is currently consulting on a new city-wide parking management plan, which already includes proposals for a weight-based system. With SUVs accounting for almost two-thirds of new car sales in the UK, campaigners say action is needed urgently to stop cities becoming even more congested and unsafe.
